Detention Center 06/09/14 1:00pm - 2:30pm

I feel much more comfortable walking into the secure and confining environment that is the detention center. I have become a little less pessimistic about what good we are doing for these kids. The games we play after lunch have helped me look at this volunteer opportunity in a better light. We have a chance to interact, observe, and kind of teach the kids in a group setting. The best part is seeing these kids get excited about showing off their intelligence. Some of the kids are much more confident in their knowledge and answer enthusiastically. Many times I have seen the kids say the answer to themselves, but are too shy or 'cool' to say it out loud. They are retaining some information and not just filling out mindless work sheets every time we visit. I do not want to take away from the group work too much, but I find myself interjecting when ever I hear a ignorant, inappropriate, or sexist comment. I try not to be too preachy, but it is difficult to hear these comments and not present a different perspective for them to think about. This is what I want, but it usually comes out as your ideas are wrong and mine are righteous and correct. I will continue to work on this as I spend more time at the center.